Welcome to one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in the world, Vancouver. There's plenty to fill your time with today but we highly recommend a stroll around this cosmopolitan city to get a feel for the Canadian people and their outdoorsy way of life. Treat yourself to some moreish maple cookies in Stanley Park, a 4,00-hectare wonderland where you can see the authentic totem poles erected in the 1920's. The kids can make the most of the playground with a pool and a waterslide.
There will be a welcome meeting for those of you not on the group flight at 6. 00pm in the hotel lobby, here you will meet your tour leader and fellow travelling companions. If booking flight inclusive you will receive notes off the tour leader at a later stage due to a late arrival. Optional Activities: Bike Rental in Stanley Park CA$11 per hour Stay: Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport (or similar).
Next up is Wells Gray Provincial Park - the fourth largest in British Columbia, covering the highest regions of the Cariboo Mountains. Take a walk and check out the impressive Helmcken Falls, one of the reasons for the creation of Wells Gray Provincial Park in 1939. You'll stay in rustic guest ranch cabins for two nights and after each night's dinner, you can kick back and experience authentic ranch hospitality.
Take part in a BBQ cookout, where you'll create a hearty meal of fresh meat and fish (plus a vegetarian option) for everyone to feast on after a busy day exploring. Optional Activities: Walking and Canoeing Day Excursion with Lunch CA$80 Stay: Fort Wells Gray Rustic Cabins (or similar) (B/L/D).
Jasper National Park is the largest national park in Canada, covering an area of 18,878 square km (4,200 square miles) and this is where you will camp for the next two nights. It's much less developed than other areas of Western Canada and offers a true wilderness feel. There are several options on offer in Jasper. You may want to start your visit by taking the cable car up Whistler Mountain for a bird's-eye view of this wonderful park.
There's also the chance to experience mountain biking and hiking amidst fantastic lakeside scenery, or to visit Mount Edith Cavell for tremendous views of Angel Glacier, a beautiful hanging glacier in the shape of angel wings. Optional Activities: Mountain Biking CA$50 per hour SkyTram Cable Car CA$58 (adults 16yrs+), CA$30 (6-15 yrs) Stay: Whistlers Campground (or similar) (B/L/D).
Continuing by road you make your way to the town of Golden and Yoho National Park. 'Yoho' is a native word for 'awe', and you'll see why. Sometimes overshadowed by the neighbouring parks of Banff and Jasper, Yoho National Park is considered the hidden gem of the Canada national parks system. If any of your family are budding photographers, exploring Yoho will provide them with ample opportunities to hone their skills as you wander through a pristine alpine landscape which includes mountains, lakes and waterfalls.
In your free time you can get up close and personal with the Kicking Horse River on an optional half-day white water rafting excursion, or you can choose to canoe or hike at the magnificent Emerald Lake. Walking the challenging trails overlooking Takakkaw Falls is an excellent alternative option. You'll all sleep well tonight! Optional Activities: Emerald Lake Canoe Rental (1hr) CA$70 Half-day Rafting CA$89 (12yrs+), CA$79 (8-11 yrs) Stay: Lake Louise Campground (or similar) (B/L/D).
Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park was established in 1885 and is Canada's oldest national park. Its mountainous terrain encompasses coniferous forests, alpine meadows, ice fields and glaciers. It's an outdoor enthusiast's paradise with plenty of opportunity for walking and hiking. With an abundance of wildlife in the park, there's always a chance of seeing bear from a safe distance. Alternatively, take a scenic ride on the gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain to take in a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape.
For a completely different perspective, another exciting optional activity is to fly overhead in a helicopter - an amazing experience that your family will never forget. Of course, there's nothing better after a hard day of fun than a soak in the Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs, which is why we've included this for you! Optional Activities: Aerial Gondola/Tramway CA$60 Scenic Glacier Flight (20 minutes) CA$275 Stay: Tunnel Mountain Campground (or similar) (B/L/D).
After a free morning to absorb your last taste of the Canadian wilderness, you make the short journey to the city of Calgary. This one-time Mountie outpost is situated at the meeting of the Bow River and Elbow Rivers in the south of the Alberta province, with the epic Rocky Mountain Range forming the city's backdrop. Calgary is a pretty awesome place to finish your Canadian adventure! If you have some extra time to explore, the Calgary Zoo with its Botanical Garden and Prehistoric Park is recommended.
Here, the kids can come face-to-face with life-sized dinosaurs or enjoy some of the city's wide open green spaces. For Land Only travellers, your tour ends here at approximately 5. 00pm. If you are not on the group flights and are planning to depart this evening, please do not book a flight that departs before approximately 9. 00pm as we cannot guarantee that you will make your flight in time. For those on the group flights, your overnight flight departs this evening, arriving into London the following day (B/L).
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.
9 Days Vancouver Vancouver
Operated By: Exodus
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